Special Exhibition

I Grew Up 80s

3 December 2022 - 26 February 2023

This winter visitors to Dorset Museum are invited to take a trip back in time with the nostalgia-filled exhibition I Grew Up 80s.

In this fascinating time capsule of over 200 objects, you’ll experience the youthful exuberance of this iconic decade through the eyes of a child. Embark on a colourful adventure and discover toys, technology, fashion, rock bands, food, and even an iconic car, a Volkswagen Golf GTI, 1981, on loan from the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

From Betamax to BMX, Dirty Dancing to Donkey Kong, the Thompson Twins to Transformers there is plenty for all generations to see, enjoy and share.

Curated by collector and social commentator Matt Fox, I Grew Up 80s is a colourful, immersive and family-friendly exhibition. It shows how different life was 30- 40 years ago when Matt was a child and ‘roamed about on our bikes, away from our parents and without the umbilical cord of mobile phones. In cinemas, Star Wars had ushered in a new era of special FX movies, music was a feel-good riot of colour and sound, and games consoles and home computers had transformed the humble telly into a host of imaginary worlds.’

  • Opening hours:

    Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
    Daily: 10.00am - 5.00pm

    TASTE Café
    Daily: 9.00am - 4.00pm
    Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

  • Admissions:

    10% discount for Adult and Young Person Unlimited Ticket booked online using discount code DM01

    BOOK ONLINE SAVE 10%
  • Dorset Museum

    High West Street
    Dorchester DT1 1XA

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Image Credit: Dorset Echo

Special Exhibition

2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024

Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within

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Community Exhibition

2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024

Awakened by Frink

Awakened by Frink is a community exhibition of artwork by members of the Deaf community created during a series of workshops at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.

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Temporary Display

3 February - 30 May 2024

John Brown in Dorchester: Rebuilding a Life after slavery

Discover the little-known story of John Brown, in this new showcase display outside the Collections Discovery Centre.

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Family Activity

4 April 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Easter Family Activity

Learn about birds in springtime and their different eggs and nests whilst building your own bird’s nest using recycled materials and making clay eggs to go inside to take home.

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Family Activity

11 April 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Easter Family Activity

Learn about birds in springtime and their different eggs and nests whilst building your own bird’s nest using recycled materials and making clay eggs to go inside to take home.

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Wedding Fair

14 April 2024, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Wedding Fair

Dorset Museum is excited to announce our third Wedding Fair, working alongside a variety of local suppliers to help couples plan their forthcoming nuptials.

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FULLY BOOKED

17 April 2024, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Collections Discovery Centre Tour

Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.

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Storytelling

18 April 2024, 10:00am- 10:30am

Storytime at the Museum

Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at the Museum.

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Lecture

18 April 2024, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Traditions and Transitions: The Story of the Chettle Grave Group | Sophia Adams

A locally made wine strainer, an old mirror and a blue glass jar perhaps from Cologne. These are just three of the eight artefacts found in 2003, buried together on land within Chettle Park, Dorset.

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